MLB Playoffs: 2018 ALCS Preview
By Phil Akre
This year’s American League Championship Series in the MLB playoffs will feature arguably the two best teams in the sport; the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox.
Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial ‘rock,’ you know that this year’s MLB playoffs has been star-studded and a filled with moments only October can produce.
But, we really haven’t seen anything yet. With the pennant now on the line in both leagues, things are really about to heat up.
Enter: Boston and Houston.
Want excellent starting pitching? Check. How about lethal offense? Oh, for sure. Those are two things we should be expecting from this years ALCS. But, if there’s one thing the postseason has taught all of us, it’s that we should always expect the unexpected.
Boston enters the ALCS, it’s first since 2013, on the heels of a convincing 3-1 division series victory over the New York Yankees. The team outscored New York 27-13 through the four-game affair.
Chris Sale silenced the critics (for now) with a stellar showing. Alex Cora showed poise and calm, while also remaining aggressive with his decisions. The offense outclassed the Bombers, who struggled to get much consistency at the plate.
Now, here’s where the Astros come in. They’re the champs. They may as well have taken the ‘World Series hangover’ and laughed in its face. A 103-59 record was ‘good enough’ for second-best in the sport.
Translation; they are not going away easily, even if the Red Sox won 108 games. Like any best of seven series, this one could go all the way, based off both’s teams sheer firepower. Should we expect it to? That’s where it gets fun.
When speaking to Jimmy Golen of Boston.com, Cora gave his two cents on the upcoming series.
“Best of seven. They know me. I know them. It should be fun.”
Let’s break it down.